Loz in Translation

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Feb 26, 2015

<< crossposted on the '30 Home Games' blog
One of the primary reasons I created 'Loz in Transit' and its offshoot blogs was because I enjoyed having an undertaking that fostered life experiences. Since becoming a "content seeker" for these projects I feel more connected, inspired and proactive. Even though I've recently returned from a short USA trip, activity on my travel blog has been sparse as nearly all my focus has shifted to my basketball mission. In particular the @30HomeGames Instagram which I update daily and consumes most of my waking thoughts.

We embarked on the maiden #30HGroadtrip to the snowy US East Coast, cruising from New York to Cleveland by SUV. I had a Fairytale in New York as the Knicks graciously hosted @30HomeGames to pregame access at Madison Square Garden aka "The World's Most Famous Arena". We also sat Courtside behind the Player's bench in Philly and capped it off watching this Generation's greatest player, homecoming King LeBron playing in Cleveland.

At this stage, my growing obsession for Instagram has me viewing the world through a square, basketball-themed prism. The shift largely precipitated by my new life as a Smartphone user, its been 7 months now. A lot of the inspiration and insight which filled these pages came to me during quiet moments of reflection traveling Europe and South America. I didn't have a camera for the majority of my travels but on the occasions I did I realised it made me neglect writing. The Smartphone has made this worse tenfold, conversely Gramming has helped me develop a more economical way of storytelling.

There's a lot in store for '30 Home Games' in 2015 so stay tuned.
I have an interview with a diehard Australian jersey collector coming. I'm also campaigning to be the 'ESPN Ultimate Fan' so please show your support. As its an 'even' year, FIBA basketball returns. I'll be contemplating whether to continue my streak having already attended EuroBasket '11 and FIBA Americas '13. I have a choice between a mid year trip to either Asia or Africa. #AfroBasket2015 hosted by Tunisia or FIBA Asia in Changsha, China.

Nov 26, 2014

The '30 Home Games' Mission, my pursuit to visit all the NBA Cities officially tips-off in 2015. I'll be joining 3 friends on a two week Eastern Conference roadtrip. Primarily visiting a friend who's relocated to the Big Apple, we'll be passing through Philadelphia, Cleveland and Chicago then cap it off in Vegas. Returning home with a friend, the other half continue for a snowboarding excursion in Utah.

This preliminary trip will serve as a sampler for my 30HG mission. A chance to experience the North American travel infrastructure, budget considerations and hospitality expectations. For our accommodation and travel, we'll be AirBnB-ing and renting a car collectively. Outside of family I've never traveled overseas in a group, having backpacked Europe and South America solo. I've Couchsurfed and rideshared several times but have yet to try AirBnB. In fact none of the guys have, so we're looking forward to the experience.

I'm not one to make an itinerary, as in life preferring to go with the flow when traveling. I've stumbled onto happenings, made new friends, found places to crash and scored free tickets armed with a spirit of adventure and a curious eye. I usually don't have much lead time heading into a destination as I'm directed by my whims. I found out about the existence of EuroBasket weeks before I headed into Lithuania for the Tournament. For FIBA Americas in Caracas, I mentally prepared myself having been forewarned by friends about the Country's complicated infrastructure. I was forced to scrap the playbook when faced with the realitiy on the ground.

'30 Home Games' figures to be a different experience as I've been researching and anticipating events and places well ahead of time. Whilst I've indulged my interests in Comedy, Wrestling and music in my travels, the States is the epicenter and birthplace for many of these things which sets some lofty expectations. That's not even considering the NBA!!!
- Find my NBA Roadtrip to-do list here

Sep 26, 2014

Jacques Henri Lartigue: Why I'm getting a camera
I was steadfast (stubborn) in not getting a camera as I had enjoyed the manufactured dynamic when I told people I was without one. I was happy with other people's photos, it became an experiment. It allowed me to live in the moment, any photos of me were candids or documented outside myself.

The '30 Home Games' mission in pictures
Follow @30HomeGames on Instagram

The main goal of this blog is to have lived experiences, writing about it has been a good way to capture the memories and encouraged me to find more. Often times however it's been without Photographs. I don't have any Courtside shots of the games I watched in Caracas (FIBA Americas) or the during the NBA lockout period that made my time in Lithuania (EuroBasket 2011) so star-studded. Whilst they were fun, my interests are more in personal interactions than celebrity-spotting. I value experiences had outside the arena, often through the prism of basketball but ideally as a participant rather than a spectator.

Some moments only gain stature in my mind due to lack of documentation. I befriended an Amsterdam local at a HipHop bar because of his Amar'e Stoudemire 'Stat NY' shirt. With his recommendation, I took a 30min busride to Amsterdam-Noord for some pickup games which immediately got rained out. Play carried on, a mixed full court game in the wet gray. A moment that has stuck with me for its surrealness.

The last few months up I've set up a '30 Home Games' Instagram to house the photos I do have. Below are a few samples of the types of Photos, Graphics and Hashtags to look out for. A few are crossposted on my my other platforms - The 30HG Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

My collection of sneakers and the stories behind them
Explore #30HGkicks

The truth is every sporting ground in the continent really doubles as a Football Field (cancha). This made my mission to find a basketball experience quite the scavenger hunt. Football is 'THE' sport of the region, everything else falls a distant second. There were no shortage of "canchas" to be found in every Corner of South America, from isolated villages in the Amazon to the iconic beaches of Rio. With all eyes on Brazil for World Cup 2014, people are seeing the display of passion South Americans are known for. Not only towards their Football but also their pride of Country and zest for life.

Bogota, Colombia (Dec 2013)
In South America the dual Basketball/Football canchas
are only ever used for Football

My most memorable Football experience was an organised match in Córdoba, Argentina which pitted the French against the Argentinians. I was acquainted with most of the players the day previous at a University mixer with expats and French exchange students. I played as an honorary Frenchman, the only outsider of the group. I was of little help as we were outclassed by the South Americans, though we did make it respectable by the end with the help of an extra man. There were no photos of the day which only heighten the surrealness of the dusty match at dusk on the stretch of fields at 'La Gran 7'.

I never did watch a live game, many might consider this blasphemous considering the ample 6 months I spent in the Football mad continent. I did have the pleasure of joining in the festivities in Medellin, as Atlético Nacional won the domestic League after besting their rivals in Cali. The streets were awash with people and celebration paraphernalia, from fireworks and foam to more illicit fare. I was also invited to a Corporate Watch party in Caracas hosted by a Whisky maker to watch Venezuela battle a formidable Chile team for a World Cup berth. Venezuela put on a gutsy display but were clearly outmatched.

I've also seen small towns celebrate a Football Championship. Football in rural areas can command an entire Village's attention, it's entire population huddled around one sporting event. Vilcabamba won the Championship for it's league, interestingly it was sponsored by the German's-run resort I was staying at. That night the Town Square usually occupied by Expat hippies was replaced by Jubilant local football heroes salsaing in celebration.

Vilcabamba, Ecuador (Nov 2013)
The whole town in attendance

I've compiled some photos which illustrate the spectrum of Canchas you'll find around South America:

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Oct 2013)

Santa Marta, Colombia (Dec 2013)

Montañita, Ecuador (Nov 2013)

Malacatos, Ecuador (Nov 2013)

Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, Ecuador (Nov 2013)

Salento, Colombia (Dec 2013)

My best reference for the madness that must be happening on the streets of Brazil was my time in Medellin as they celebrated Atlético Nacional taking the Championship. Colombians know how to celebrate. I've tipped them to make the Finals which means I see them upsetting host Nation Brazil. If World Cup attendees have concerns that this means an end to the revelry. Rest assured, Colombians are the best equipped to keep the party going should Brazil exit. The Colombians have been exciting on and off the field in this World Cup.

Jun 24, 2014

It's a fortnight into the World Cup and half of the Group stages have already been decided. Admittedly I'm not a big Football fan (the Basketball World Cup will be my International Sporting highlight for 2014) but no other event brings as much International festivity as the FIFA World Cup every 4 years.

During the last World Cup in 2010, Sydney erected a large TV Screen that emerged from the Darling Harbour wharf. After nightshift finished, I'd brave the cold and watch a 5am Football match flanked by International supporters. After my first Live site match I remember thinking "I didn't know we had that many Mexicans and French in Sydney". This wouldn't be the last time I'd be impressed by the foreign representation in Sydney as International students, expats and travelers emerged to support their National Teams. I watched the World Cup Final between Holland and Spain after reuniting with a Dutch friend I made in Adelaide at her hostel. This predated my first international backpacking adventure and the German connections I made that night kicked off the type of networks that would serve me well in my 2011 EuroTrip. Those friendships also made my 2010 memorable as I developed a solid running mates for my 'Yes Man' year in Sydney.

Since that last World Cup I traveled Europe for 13 months and South America for 6. During this Month of Football, the sight of flags and languages that remind me of those awesome experiences is heartening. A lot of my favorites for the World Cup are due to the positive associations with certain Countries. Of course I also got some tips during my recent South America trip about the best bets for the Mundial de Futbol.

Below are a selection of Trigger photos of the memorable times and friends made at Countries represented in the 2014 FIFA World Cup:

In case you're wondering here are my World Cup Tips:
- I always bet for Team USA and against England. It's worked a treat the last 3 World Cups.
- Chilombuay! I had Uruguay beating Brazil whenever they faced. As it shakes out I feel Chile might have the honors. Colombia has been the most fun whilst Uruguay has been gutsy, Colombia should move on.

- Netherlands and Germany are the obvious European representatives to go deep.
- Colombia, Netherlands at the end on the wish of a goalfest Final

May 23, 2014

Parkour is the art of navigating from Point A to Point B in as efficient a manner as possible using one's body and surroundings to propel themselves safely. I first started Parkour in 2010 when a colleague at work explained there were Sunday workshops just up the road (Parkour NSW). On my first day I coincidentally reconnected with an old friend from Design school I hadn't seen in years. The group struck me with its inclusiveness, boys and girls, ages ranging from 15 to 35. You'd see Parents with strollers supporting their kids as they gave it a go.

I have a short attention span and as such have never trained or persisted with a craft. My friend remains a Parkour regular [obsessive] to this day. Advancing with the discipline, making lifelong friends and traveling interstate with the community. I've watched the scene develop as new spaces and initiatives have popped up around Sydney.

I explained to him that my best joys are moments when things are synchronous, when the improbable occurs because things fortuitously connect. Like hitting a game-winner when you've barely played basketball. Its the magic appeal I find in travel. My friend remarked "In Parkour, once is never". For them its not about conquering the moment, its perfecting one's movements. An interesting and different outlook to mine.

I've found Parkour in several corners of the world, you can spot them from a distance once you develop an eye for it. Usually groups of young boys, on a makeshift obstacle or sizing one up. Wearing tracksuits and moving in a trail. I stumbled onto Parkour classes at Olympiapark München (Parkour München) on the way to the BMW museum. Though I joined them impromptu, the teacher was gracious enough to repeat his instructions in English. I quizzed some kids (DesplazArte) I spotted training at the ridiculously active Parque del Este in Caracas. I had just dislocated my finger earlier that day and acrobatics was the furthest thing from my mind. I also happened upon a National meet by the Humilladero Bridge in Popayán (Ville Blanche). Like all the encounters mentioned, language proved a barrier. As I hadn't developed my craft I couldn't prove my worth through physical demonstration. It was a chaotic day with many participants traveling from around the Country. I didn't press them too much with my limited Spanish, all I wanted was a souvenir T-shirt. No suerte.

I'm not completely inept at Parkour however. I trained for several sessions in indoor and outdoor spaces around Sydney. Whilst I never mastered the cat pass or rolls, I'm confident with wall climbs. It has practical uses especially for Urban exploration. Its come in handy Caveclanning the bunkers of Sydney, tracking down a Spanish lookout and scaling walls to find sleeping quarters in Portugal.

For anyone interested in Parkour, Sydneysiders will soon have a new destination to practice their craft. Based in Tempe it was founded by and for members of the community. The AAPES (Australian Academy of Parkour, Exercise and Self Defence) will be opening its doors June 7, 2014. Make sure you head down and check it out.

AAPES Opening! Sydney's Indoor Parkour and Self Defence location
Saturday the 7th of June is your opportunity to come hang out, grab a bbq at 1pm, listen to some music, meet members of the Parkour community from all around Australia, get some sweet givaways, sign up for classes, purchase your iconic Reach Escape shirt, and partake of possibly one the best icecreams you'll ever have (Pat and Sticks that is!)

Mar 28, 2014

Australia's Movie Guy, Marc Fennell dubbed 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' as "the best 2 hour Travel Agent ad you've ever seen". So its only fitting that I found this Ben Stiller feature on the Delta Airlines inflight magazine 'Sky'.

The profile written by a forgivably gushy Steve Marsh, injects some psychoanalysis of Ben Stiller

The Ben Stiller Magic
Stiller, at least in the movies he directs, has always seemed obsessed with reality --specifically with how reality is shaped (or warped) by the stuff we watch when we’re on the couch...

"So why are you so interested in this notion of reality? It seems like your entire career has been obsessed with this idea."
"Wow," Stiller says. "I never really analyzed it. That’s interesting you say that, because I’ve never thought about it that way." He pauses.

I ask him if he ever daydreams. "No, not really," he says. "When you're making a movie like this, or any movie really, you're so in the moment, you’re not really daydreaming. But I do try to take time to appreciate the experience of doing things you wouldn't normally get to do."

He remembers one moment on the set of Mitty: "This wasn't really a daydream, but it was just kind of a moment of realization. I was in the water and we had to do a shot where the Zodiac boat is approaching me to pull me out of the water, and the only way we could get the shot was to put the camera in the boat, because it's like a POV of the boat coming at me. We were a mile or half a mile out to sea in the ocean off Iceland, and the swells were pretty big, so they dropped me in the water and just drove away. It was just a funny, surreal moment. Cause I'm really in the ocean here by myself. I couldn't see anything; the boat went far enough away that it was gone, the swells were at four feet. And I was like, This is crazy, this is actually... this is happening. I'm really in the ocean. If that boat doesn't come back... I mean, I know they know I'm here but... It's like the funny crossover of reality and movies, where you do real things but somehow you think because you're doing it for a movie that everything is OK. And, actually, the weird thing that you're doing is as dangerous or weird as it would be if there was no camera there; you're still really doing it."

Whether its an Astronaut going about his routine or a backpacker off to his next destination there is an element of being outside yourself that is necessary to accomplish "extraordinary" things.

Whilst walking around Cartagena I spotted this perch by the water. Not being scared of heights and with my fondness for climbing things I decided to scale it. I could be like a Pirate of the Caribbean.
Only at the top did I realise how precarious and foolish the endeavour was. What was I thinking?

From Below: Crow's Nest in Cartagena, Colombia

From above: Probably not the best idea

We "get into the zone" or are under so much pressure we forget to appreciate the moment. When you're caught up in the moment or swept by momentum, things you never thought possible can be mundanely achieved.
We just have to remember not to appreciate them mundanely.